ER's Original Stars: Where Are They Now? From County General to Hollywood's Elite

Noah Wyle may be saving lives in The Pitt, but for millions, he'll always be Dr. John Carter from NBC's game-changing medical drama ER. The series, which ran from 1994 to 2009, didn't just revolutionize TV with its raw intensity—it launched some of Hollywood's biggest careers. From George Clooney to Julianna Margulies, the original cast has taken the world by storm. Here's where they landed after hanging up their scrubs.

ER was more than a show; it was a star-making machine. With its gritty realism and emotional rollercoasters, it turned unknown actors into household names. Let's dive into the post-ER journeys of the original crew.

George Clooney as Dr. Doug Ross on 'ER'; George Clooney attends the 2026 annual Movies for Grownups Awards at Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel on Jan. 10, 2026, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Sven Arnstein/NBCU Photo Bank; Maarten De Boer/Getty for AARP

George Clooney's turn as pediatrician Dr. Doug Ross didn't just earn him two Emmy nods—it blasted him into superstardom. After five seasons, he left to conquer Hollywood, and boy, did he deliver. "It was a job of a lifetime," Clooney said in 2022. "It changed my career." And how! From the slick Ocean's trilogy to the heart-stopping Gravity, he's become a cinematic legend. Not stopping there, he directed the critically acclaimed Good Night, and Good Luck and even took it to Broadway in 2025 as his playwriting debut. With two Oscars (for Syriana and Argo) and a Kennedy Center Honor, Clooney's legacy is untouchable. Off-screen, he's married to powerhouse lawyer Amal Clooney, and they're raising twins Ella and Alexander.

Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene on 'ER'; Anthony Edwards attends the 'Glengarry Glen Ross' Broadway opening night at the Palace Theatre on March 31, 2025, in New York City. Paul Drinkwater/NBC; John Nacion/FilmMagic

Anthony Edwards, already a face from Top Gun and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, became the heart of ER as Dr. Mark Greene, snagging a Golden Globe in 1998. "We laughed so much," he reminisces about the set's vibe. Post-ER, he's kept the acting flame alive, hitting Broadway in 2025 with Glengarry Glen Ross and juggling film roles with family time. He's proof that some stars never fade, just evolve.